German environment ministers discuss making wolf shooting easier
PROTECT THEM NOT COWS
2023/11/30
2023/11/30
German Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection Steffi Lemke speaks during a session of the German Bundestag.
Melissa Erichsen/dpa
Germany's federal and state environment ministers have agreed on the need for action following a significant increase in wolf attacks on livestock in Germany.
However, proposals by Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke to allow faster shooting of individual problem wolves do not go far enough for all state representatives.
The issue was the central topic at the ministers' two-day autumn conference in the western city of Münster on Thursday.
A research project by the German Agency for Nature Conservation found the number of attacks on livestock rose to 1,136 cases in 2022.
In the process, 4,366 farm animals were killed or injured. Sheep were the most affected (3,778 cases), followed by cattle (260), wild game (184) and goats (91). Compared to 2021, the number of attacks increased by 17% and the number of farm animals affected by 29%.
The Federal Ministry for the Environment says there have been no wolf attacks on humans since the animal returned to Germany over 20 years ago.
Lemke proposes that if a wolf has overcome protective measures such as a fence and killed a grazing animal, shooting it should be allowed within a 21-day period by special permit - within a radius of 1,000 metres around the pasture. Unlike in the past, it will not be necessary to wait for a DNA analysis first.
That doesn't go far enough for some of the states. Bavaria, for example, is calling on Lemke to lower the legal hurdles and protection status further.
The federal government emphasizes herd protection measures such as fences and livestock guarding dogs as the most effective measures.
The German Agency for Nature Conservation says 12 wolves have been killed across Germany with official authorization since 2017.
© Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
Germany's federal and state environment ministers have agreed on the need for action following a significant increase in wolf attacks on livestock in Germany.
However, proposals by Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke to allow faster shooting of individual problem wolves do not go far enough for all state representatives.
The issue was the central topic at the ministers' two-day autumn conference in the western city of Münster on Thursday.
A research project by the German Agency for Nature Conservation found the number of attacks on livestock rose to 1,136 cases in 2022.
In the process, 4,366 farm animals were killed or injured. Sheep were the most affected (3,778 cases), followed by cattle (260), wild game (184) and goats (91). Compared to 2021, the number of attacks increased by 17% and the number of farm animals affected by 29%.
The Federal Ministry for the Environment says there have been no wolf attacks on humans since the animal returned to Germany over 20 years ago.
Lemke proposes that if a wolf has overcome protective measures such as a fence and killed a grazing animal, shooting it should be allowed within a 21-day period by special permit - within a radius of 1,000 metres around the pasture. Unlike in the past, it will not be necessary to wait for a DNA analysis first.
That doesn't go far enough for some of the states. Bavaria, for example, is calling on Lemke to lower the legal hurdles and protection status further.
The federal government emphasizes herd protection measures such as fences and livestock guarding dogs as the most effective measures.
The German Agency for Nature Conservation says 12 wolves have been killed across Germany with official authorization since 2017.
© Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
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